Past posts revisited: Beauty Bits

As part of the revamp of my blog, I thought it'd be a fun idea to revisit some old posts and see how much I've changed over the years. Not only will it make it easier for me to think of things to write about (lol!), but they'll also hopefully be interesting for everyone else to read too. And first up is this post which originally featured here back in September 2009. Am I still using the same products as I was then? Have I stayed faithful to my old favourites or have I embarked on a fling with something new and exciting? Well, here are the answers:

What I'm using at the Moment:

Shampoo: Tresemme Luxurious Moisture and Dove Colour Radiance (I'm a great believer in alternating products)

Conditioner: Tresemme Salon Silk and Dove Colour Radiance

Styling Products: Umberto Giannini Flirty Curls Scrunching Jelly

Shower Gel: Just like in 2009, I have a number on the go but two I'm showing a lot of love to at the moment are Soap and Glory's Clean on Me and Dove Silk Glow Beauty Care Body Wash

Body Scrub: I love the scent and feel of Soap and Glory's The Breakfast Scrub and I'm also trying to use up my Naturals body scrub, but I still don't use these nearly as often as I should :-(

Bath Products: As we don't have a bath any more, I don't buy any of these for myself but I do try and use my stash up in the shower when I remember (which isn't very often!)

Deodorant: Soft and Gentle Wild Rose and Vanilla Roll On

Body Moisturiser: The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter

Fake Tan: Don't use

Cleanser: Lacura Creamy Face Wash (for sensitive skin)

Facial Moisturiser: Lacura Shimmering Day Cream

Facial Exfoliator: Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose in It

Hand Cream: I alternate between Avon Care Renewing Moisture Restorative Hand Cream (what a mouthful!) and Boots Garden Collection Lavender Hand Lotion

Primer: 17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer

Foundation: Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in Cameo

Concealer: Not using at the moment

Powder: Not using

Blusher: Natural Collection Cream Blusher in Naked Glow

Bronzer: 17 Instant Glow Bronzing Pearls in Medium

Highlighter: Don't use

Eyeshadow Base: Not currently using, although I'm tempted to try out the Frontcover Shadowbase I received in a gift set

Eyeshadows: In terms of brand, I adore Frontcover for the choice of shades and their colour payoff but when it comes to shades, my most frequently used are Frosted Almond by Frontcover and Statuesque by 17 at Boots

Eyeliner: I've recently started experimenting with Frontcover Shadowline(a solvent which you mix with any of their eyeshadows or pigments to create your own custom eyeliner)

Eyelash Curlers: Don't use

Mascara: Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Cat Eyes or Soap and Glory Thick and Fast

Lipstick: Bourjois Lovely Brille in Rose Balneaire or 17 Shine On Lipstick in Bon Bon

Lip Gloss: Urban Decay Shot-O-Gloss in Mai Tai

Lip Balm: Visionary Soap Company Peppermint Lip Balm, Dermalogics Lip Care with Aloe Vera or Wilko Fruity Berry Lip Balm

Nail Colour: Haven't used in months but when I do, my most frequently used shade is probably Nails Inc in Instyle Mink

So have I changed? Well in some ways, no. There are still some products I'm using two and a half years on (scrunching jelly and foundation to name two), and I still love to alternate the brands that I use for others. And I'm also still on a mission to reduce my stash of bath foam and body lotion! But then, on the other hand, there are some new brands that I can't imagine not knowing about way back when. I don't know what I'd do without my Frontcover eyeshadows and Soap and Glory has rapidly become one of my brands of choice. And I'm also experimenting with new products. Primer or eyeliner anyone? Who knows where I'll be in another couple of years!

And that's pretty much it, hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into my beauty bits and if there's any products you'd like more information/a review on or pictures of, please let me know, I'm always happy to help! But now how about you? What products are you using at the moment and which are your faves? I invite you all to tag along and join in this survey, I'd love to hear from you :-)

'Til next time...

Laziness...A quiz copied and pasted from Facebook

So basically, I had no idea what to blog about tonight and I also knew that I couldn't spend too long on the net, so I've trawled Facebook and come up with this quiz which I posted last year. Obviously the answers aren't from last year, unless they're still relevant of course!! Feel free to play along and post your answers too...it'd be great to hear from you :-)

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? Cup of tea and a banana bun

2. Where was your profile picture taken? Holy Rood Church Hall, Swinton

3. Can you play Guitar Hero? Badly!

4. Name someone who made you laugh today? My Grandad

5. How late did you stay up last night and why? I went to bed about 12:30. It would have been earlier but I was doing my usual messing around before bed thing!

6. If you could move somewhere else,where would it be?I'd stay close by if possible.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? No...nobody would get me out under fireworks for any reason whatsoever!!

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you? N and M

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? Sometimes

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? I can think of lots of nicer drinks!

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? I can't remember - maybe a few weeks ago??

12. Who took your Facebook profile picture? Someone from my drama group

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? Myself?! I can't really remember to be honest!!

14. Was today better than yesterday? No

15. Can you live a day without TV? Yes

16. Are you upset about anything? My work prospects...I'm not really sure where my future lies at this moment in time.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? The right ones are

18. Are you a bad influence? I suppose I could be...I'm very lazy and love food too much, and will incite others to slack off and eat crap!

19. Night out or night in? It depends on my mood and the company.

20. What items could you not go without during the day? Phone, purse, pen, tissues, food and drink (obviously!!)

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? My grandad

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? Thanks for the invite jules but me and linds have already made plans. Enjoy the film and we'll see you soon x

23. How do you feel about your life right now? It's ok...

24. Do you hate anyone? Not that I can think of

25. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find? Messages

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? Yeah

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? Don't think so...

28. What song is stuck in your head? I haven't really got one right now...you should have asked whilst X Factor was on!!

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m, who would you like it to be? A hot guy! Only joking, I think it would have to be a friend

30. Wanna have grandkids by the time you're 50? No...I want to enjoy other things in my life first

31. Name something you are doing tomorrow? Having a driving lesson

32. Do you think too much or too little? Too much!

33. Do you smile a lot? Apparently so! (I asked my sister!)

34. Is there anything you'd change about yourself? Yeah...my weight, my pessimism and my lack of self esteem.

35. Do you have a secret crush? There's someone who I'm not really sure of my feelings of...but the situation would be complicated anyway, so it's best left well alone!!

So they're my answers, and like I said, it would be great to read yours too!! Till next time...

And now it's over to you...

Whilst I've been blogging, I've come across a range of different opinions as to who we, as bloggers, are writing for. Some bloggers say "I blog for myself, and no one else, my blog is my own private space where I can write whatever I feel like". And whilst I agree with this principle (I wouldn't blog about anything unless I felt the inclination to do so), I'm also aware of the fact that I'm writing for an audience. That I have followers who may take time (albeit only a minute or two) out of their day to read my posts. That there's always the chance of other visitors passing by. And whilst my blog is my domain, that doesn't mean that I don't want to make visitors welcome. That I don't care about how other people feel about my blog. That I don't want to take account of their opinions. And this is where you (my followers and any other visitors) come in:

What would you like to see in my blog??

Just as an idea, here's whatI'm thinking of blogging about over the next few days:

Friday: My favourite beauty products (inspired by O. is me)

Saturday: Baking post (Banana cake)

Sunday: Operation August goals update

Monday: Weekend Round Up/Highs and Lows of the Week

And that's as far as I've got. What do you think?? Is there anything in my blog that you'd like to see more or less of?? Or anything new that you'd like me to try?? Let me know...this may be my blog, but as they say 2 (or more) heads are better than 1!!

Till next time...

99 things (or how memorable has my life been so far??)

Over the last couple of days, I've really wanted to blog but had no idea what to blog about! I was half toying with the idea of posting about my plans for the weekend, but as I'm planning to do a weekend round up post in a few days anyway, I thought 2 posts about the weekend might just be overkill!! So I decided to catch up on reading some posts instead, and that's when I came across this over at The World is My Oyster . Basically, it's just a list of 99 memorable experiences, and you highlight the things you've done. So let's go! I wonder how memorable my life has really been so far...I'm guessing not so much lol!


99 Memorable Experiences


1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars (Does camping count?? If so, then I have, but if you can't be under canvas, then no I've not!!)

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sung a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (This all depends on if you class cookery as an art...I am doing btw!!)

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (No, although some of my ancestors were born very close to where I live now, so I guess by default maybe...)

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater (No, although I did go to an open air film screening for the first time yesterday and absolutely loved it!! Apart from when it rained...)

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Been sky diving

66. Visited a Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (Hmmmm...I've been to London twice but I can't honestly remember if I've done this or not!!)

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve (Well, I'd known him about 5 minutes...I think that makes him a stranger. And I've never seen him since lol!!)

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Gotten a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

And that's my list!! Totting up, I've done 20 out of 99...which isn't really that many, just over a fifth! I'm not going to take the list too seriously though, as I can think of so many memorable moments in my life like graduating (twice!!), auditioning for, and getting, the lead role in my college play, many drunken parties with friends, being proposed to, travelling abroad etc that are on my own list, even though they're not featured here!

However, of the ones that I haven't done on this particular list I'd love to do 3, 12, 26, 36, 37, 40, 44, 45, 51 (snorkelling only!), 55, 57, 82, 86, 89 and 94 and it would be absolutely amazing if I could find a way to do 13, given my deep set fear of thunder and lightning. If I could do that, I'd definitely be cured!!


So why don't you have a go?? It'd be great to compare lists, and to hear your most memorable moments!! Hope everyone has a fab 3 day weekend (it seems that both the UK and US have got a long weekend ahead) and I'll be back very soon :-) Till next time...

Last Post of 2009: Survey of the Year

I'd been wanting to do one of these to round off the year, so when I saw that Ebony Jewel over at Seize The Moments had posted one, I decided to borrow it for myself! So without further ado, here's my 2009 Survey!

Album of the year. What’s rocking your world?
Well, I really think I'm going to have to choose 2! An album I bought this year and loved has been "Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?" by Paloma Faith. But there's also an album that I bought last year, which I've completely fallen in love with during 2009, and that's Sara Bareilles' "Little Voice".

What’s the best change you made to the place you live?
Tidying and decluttering my room!

When did you get your best rush of the year?
Oooh, this is a tricky one...probably when I got a letter inviting me for a job interview after months of applying with no success!

Best packaging. Did your headphones come in a sweet case? See a bottle of tea in another country that stood off the shelves?
What a random question! I can't think of any packaging that's stood out this year...although I loved the wrapping paper that the earrings I won came in!

Tea of the year. I can taste my favorite tea right now. What’s yours?
Yorkshire Tea or Twinings English Breakfast...I love tea!

Project. What did you start this year that you’re proud of?
Restarting driving lessons after a gap of 7 years!

What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Travelled to mainland Spain, started a blog, did a 5K charity race (walk!)...I'm sure there's more but I can't think of them right now!

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm pretty sure that I made 2. The first was to have a healthier lifestyle, and it worked to a point. I went to the gym on a regular basis, tried to eat healthier snacks and lost a little weight. But then sometime over the course of the year, I lost my way. The second was to learn to drive...and as you can tell from one of the answers above, it's a work in progress! I will make more resolutions for next year, and I'll reveal them tomorrow in my first post of 2010!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend N, and also my best friend from primary school, who now lives in Texas.

Did anyone close to you die?
Not a person...but my cat who we had for almost 20 years sadly passed away at the end of July.

What countries did you visit?
Spain

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A full time, long term or permanent job and more money!

What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 16th...my friend N gave birth to her son H
December 6th...my friends G and L got married

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting 2 interviews in the space of about 2 or 3 weeks...even if I didn't get either of the jobs!

What was your biggest failure?
Still failing to untangle myself from past hangups...I think 2010 should be the year where I let go once and for all!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major...I was hospitalised for a day in October with bad stomach pains, which thankfully haven't recurred and had a few colds and bugs, but that's about it!

What was the best thing you bought?
My gorgeous black patent ribbon tie shoes!

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I don't think that appalled and depressed are necessarily the right words,but I've been rather disappointed by the behaviour of 2 friends who seem to be lacking in empathy and consideration at the moment...their selfishness is really not what I would have expected of them.

Where did most of your money go?
Driving lessons, bills and keep, bus and taxi fares, shopping, alcohol and Starbucks!

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Job interviews, seeing friends, my birthday, Christmas!!

What song will always remind you of 2009?
I've Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Compared to this time last year, you are:
i. happier or sadder? About the same
Thinner or fatter? Slightly thinner
Richer or poorer? Poorer

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising, driving, listening

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, thinking about the past

How will you be spending Christmas / Hanukkah?
I’ve already spent it!

What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2009?
I can't remember...but there will have been loads, I'm really clumsy and so un-coordinated!

Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes...with my friend's beautiful son H and my gorgeous ribbon tie shoes!

How many one-night stands?
None...I'm a good girl, I am!

What was your favorite TV programme?
House and the X Factor

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I hate anyone...I dislike some people and/or their behaviour, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I hated them!

What was the best book you read?
I'm struggling to think of a book I read all the way through...but I enjoyed "I Heard That Song Before" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" by Mary Higgins Clark

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Paloma Faith and Little Boots

What did you want and get?
Job interviews, a great birthday and Christmas and lots of fabulous clothes and accessories!

What did you want and not get?
A long term/permanent full time job

And that's my 2009 in survey form! Hope everyone has had a good year, or if not, at least one they can learn from and build on. And I hope that everyone has a fab NYE whatever they're doing...I'm hopefully heading to a friend's house party for fun and frolics! So all that's left to say is bye bye 2009...I'll see everyone in 2010!

Christmas Survey

I've noticed a few of these surveys around lately, so I thought it was about time I answered one!I've borrowed this particular one off Stevie at Allow Myself to Introduce...Myself and hope you enjoy!

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate:
Hot chocolate...especially a special hot chocolate from the Manchester Christmas Markets with Baileys or Cointreau in. Although I've never tried egg nog so I suppose I can't make a fair comment!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Both! When I was small, my parents bought me presents which my Mum wrapped and then sent to Santa for him to deliver on Christmas Eve, but I also got some surprises off him which he must have wrapped himself!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Either or both...we have both this year and I don't have a preference either way.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No...but I wouldn't mind using it if there was a hot guy around!

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually the first weekend in December, although sometimes it's a little later.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Oh...it's so hard to choose! Mince pies are lovely though, so I think I'll go for those.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I don't have any particular memories...I just remember always being really excited and waking up at stupid o'clock to open my presents!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I was about 10 or 11, and my mum told me.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Nope...unless I receive one then, then I probably would!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lights, then tinsel, then baubles and other decorations. We've gathered a really big collection over the years, including some which belonged to my Nana and our first Christmas ornaments. I have a bauble, my brother has a metal plaque, my sister Amy has a baby in a cradle and my other sister has a rocking horse. Decorating the tree is a family effort but my mum, sisters and I do most of it.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?
Love it...I'm really jealous of the areas of the UK that got lots during yesterday evening and last night; we just got a little dusting! It does look pretty though!

12. Can you ice skate?
Very,very, VERY badly!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift ever?
I actually can't...I've had lots of great gifts over the years! I'd have to say my first TV for my room was pretty high up there, as was a cuddly "Po" teletubby (don't ask!).

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Spending time with family and friends, and seeing people's faces when they open their presents. Plus getting a load of presents for myself of course!! ;-)

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
See number 6...although I also love mini party desserts like mini donuts and chocolate eclairs

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Having my Grandad and Uncle over for Christmas dinner...I love it when we're all together :-)

17. What tops your tree?
A star, although it has been an angel in the past.

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?
Now, this is where the little angel and devil on my shoulders have a furious row! The angel's saying "Giving's what Christmas is all about" and the devil's shouting back "Don't be so ridiculous! Receiving's far better, you moron!" So, I'm going to have to declare it a draw...both are good in different ways.

19. Candy canes: Yuck or yum?
"Candy Canes?! Are you mocking me??" The real answer is "Yum!"

20. Favorite Christmas show?
I don't know if I have a favourite Christmas show, but I enjoy watching lots of the Christmas specials that are on TV. Favourite films are a different story...I love "Elf", "Love Actually" and "The Holiday".

21. Saddest Christmas song?
Sad as in boo hoo or sad as in just plain bad?? "Do they know it's Christmas" makes me sad because of the video, and "Mad World" (not really a Christmas song, but it was Christmas No. 1) because it's just so depressing!

22. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Top 3 are: "Fairytale of New York", "Santa Baby" and "Last Christmas" but there are loads more that I love too!

So that's my Christmas! Why don't you give the survey a go too!